“Venus and Sailor (Homage to Salvat-Papasseit)” is a mythological painting by Salvador Dali, completed in 1925. This artwork, executed in oil on canvas, showcases a fusion of Cubism and Expressionism and measures 216 x 147 cm. The painting is housed at the Ikeda Museum of 20th-century Art in Shizuoka, Japan. It stands as a testament to Dali’s early artistic explorations before his dive into Surrealism for which he is most renowned.
The artwork presents two central figures. On the right, a sailor dressed in a white uniform gazes off to the side, his profile accented by stark geometric shapes and his form constructed in a distinctly Cubist fashion. To the left, the figure of Venus, the Roman goddess of love, is seated. She is depicted with a contemplative expression, her features and drapery rendered with bold lines and contrasting lights and shadows, encapsulating the Expressionist influence.
The background of the painting consists of fragmented and abstract shapes that resemble elements of a seaport, with glimpses of masts, the sea, and possibly even the architecture of a ship or harbor buildings. Other objects, such as a coiled rope and ship elements, are interspersed within the composition, anchoring the scene in a maritime realm and reinforcing the connection to the sailor’s profession.
In the lower right corner of the painting, Dali’s signature and the year “1925” are inscribed, validating the artwork’s authenticity and period of creation. Overall, the painting demonstrates Dali’s technical skill and his engagement with the avant-garde movements of Cubism and Expressionism, reflecting a formative stage in the artist’s prolific career.
